Devon and Cornwall Police have announced that a man and a woman who were arrested in connection with the disappearance and death of 15-year-old Taylor Charlton are no longer suspects. The pair, a man in his 20s and a woman in her 40s, were arrested on suspicion of murder following Charlton's disappearance.
Charlton was last seen in Barnstaple, Devon, on the evening of May 8. His remains were discovered in the River Taw near Sticklepath on June 24, after an extensive search operation. The teenager had turned 15 since he was last seen.
The two individuals had been released on police bail following their arrests. Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Elaine Westerman stated that following a thorough investigation, the police are satisfied that neither individual was involved in Taylor's disappearance or death. "There is currently no indication of any third-party involvement in Taylor's death, which is not being treated as suspicious," Westerman said.
Police confirmed that a file is being prepared for HM Coroner. Taylor's family has been informed of these developments and is receiving support from specially trained officers. The force appealed to the public to avoid speculation and the sharing of unconfirmed information online.
The last confirmed sighting of Taylor Charlton was captured on CCTV near a footpath by the Tarka leisure centre in Barnstaple, showing him heading in the direction of the River Taw.